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Players plan tribute to legendary Legion coach Lloyd Meyer

Longtime baseball coach Lloyd Meyer finds himself more at home in a dugout or on the field, instructing young ballplayers, than he does at a fancy banquet.

But come Monday night, he'll find himself front and center at a tribute dinner, organized by his former players.

"He has touched so many young men's lives over the years," says Jim Locascio, a former player and co-chairman of the dinner, "that we're excited to give Lloyd the recognition he deserves after giving so many years of passion and service."

The July 20 dinner will take place, naturally, at the American Legion Hall, Post 208, in Arlington Heights that has sponsored his teams for more than 60 years. Nearly 150 of his former players, coaches and parents are expected to attend.

Toasts - and roasts - on Monday will come from some of his past players, including the ones who played or coached in the big leagues.

Take Mark Newman for starters. He recently retired as vice president of minor league operations for the New York Yankees, but the Prospect Heights native credits Meyer with much of his success.

"I have had the great fortune to spend my entire professional life in baseball, including 17 years in college baseball and 26 years with the Yankees," Newman says. "None of this would have happened had I not played American Legion baseball for Lloyd Meyer."

His passion for the game and for teaching young people how to play the game "continues to be an inspiration to me," Newman adds.

Arlington Heights native George Vukovich, who played for the Phillies and the Cleveland Indians, also will chime in at the dinner. He says Meyer never sugar coated his coaching instructions, but they made lasting impressions.

"He told you when you messed up - and not just once," Vukovich says, "but those two years playing for him, got me to the Major Leagues."

Other speakers lined up include Jerry DeSimone, who played for the San Diego Padres, and Richard "Itchy" Jones, former baseball coach at Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois, who coached many of Meyer's players at the college level.

Bob Whisler of Arlington Heights, who coached alongside of Meyer for more than a dozen years, will speak, as will current coach Dennis Drolet of Inverness.

Bob Frisk, the retired high school sports editor for the Daily Herald, also will speak about his longtime friend.

"I was happy to accept," Frisk says, "since I have known Lloyd for 65 years. It should be a fun evening."

Tickets for the dinner are $25. Make checks payable to Arlington Baseball Boosters, and mail them c/o Bob Whisler, Brian Properties Inc., 2045 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 100, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

For more information, contact Whisler, at rwhis@brianproperties.com.

  Lloyd Meyer of Arlington Heights poses with memorabilia from his long career of coaching teams sponsored by the Arlington Heights American Legion. He is being honored at a banquet Monday. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com October 2014
  Arlington Heights American Legion Coach Lloyd Meyer in 2004 shows pitcher Scott Winters the proper position to release the ball when pitching. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com June 2004
  Arlington Heights American Legion Coach Lloyd Meyer talks baseball with a fan in 2004. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com June 2004
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